WELCOME TO THE COUNTY OF FREYUNG-GRAFENAU WELCOME TO QUALITY (OF LIFE) Distances from Freyung-Grafenau to…

Berlin: 630 km Prague: 185 km : 200 km Linz: 97 km Vienna: 320 km : 235 km Welcome to Freyung-Grafenau!

And welcome to sunshine and clean air. We in FRG (the abbreviated version of our county’s name) have the most days of sunshine and the cleanest air – as measured in the Sonnenwald region – of any county in . Helping to keep our air so pristine is our largest “resident” – the mighty , itself part of Central Europe’s largest wooded area.

Our county has a wealth of other attractions, and this brochure will present them to you. Such as the world’s longest treetop walkway, which was opened in 2009. The year also saw the opening of our university of applied sciences. We have something to celebrate in 2010 as well – the 1000th birthday of the Goldener Steig. Salt was traded along this mountain road, which linked and and brought prosperity and close ties to both of them.

This quality of life and of education explains why our county is home to a number of “world champions”. The successes on world markets enjoyed by these companies’ unique products constitute just one reason why we are confident that our county will continue to thrive in the years to come!

Ludwig Lankl, Commissioner County of Freyung-Grafenau 3 FRG – the center of Europe Transport links and distances

Many regions claim to be in the center of Europe. We in FRG do so as well, Nearest expressways: but with good reason: our region is where Germany, and the Czech A 3: Via nearby , this expressway links FRG with the rest of Germany, Republic meet. Freyung-Grafenau has direct borders to the latter two. Our Netherlands and Austria. region is exactly halfway between Munich and Prague, an ideal location for A 92: Paralleling the River and passing along , Dingolfing, your business to access the fast-growing markets of Eastern Europe. and , this expressway is the fastest way to get to Munich Airport, one of the largest in Europe. A 8: This expressway is one of central Europe’s main arteries, connecting Luxembourg, Germany and Austria.

Distances from FRG to the region’s airports: Munich: 150 km Linz: 83 km Salzburg: 150 km 4 The Green Roof of Europe

When we say that FRG has a great location, we are not just referring to its Also forming part of this “roof” is the Czech Republic’s adjoining Sumava proximity to fast-growing markets and to the infrastructure – airports and National Park. The two national parks join to form central Europe’s largest superhighways – getting you there fast. contiguous wooded area. We are referring to our closeness to nature. Our countryside is a symphony of traditional farms, picturesque towns and villages and trees. Two facts about FRG: Many of them are found in the Bavarian Forest National Park. Located in Our infrastructure makes it easy to get to and from Munich, Prague and our county, it is the oldest and largest land-based national park in Germany. elsewhere in the world. Its mountainous green slopes have given FRG the nickname of being Europe’s “Green Roof”. Our green and clean quality of living makes it hard to leave this beautiful county.

5 Photo: PNP

Anna Sigl Adalbert Stifter

“I don’t have to take a plane to see the world and all its beauties. I just “Never declare anything beautiful before you have seen the Bavarian Forest.“ have to go out my front door and take a look around – at the Bavarian Forest and its chain of mountains. To my right is the Lusen peak, straight ahead These words were written by Adalbert Stifter (1805-1868), one of the most is the Rachel, and around the corner is the Arber. This is wellness for my important writers in central Europe in the early 19th century. He was born eyes and heart.” in the adjoining Bohemian Forest. Stifter’s books are set in the wooded region shared by Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Anna Sigl is 73 years old. She has been living on her farm for 48 years. It is located in , one of FRG’s towns. Her peace of mind comes from her contentment with what she has achieved and what she has experienced during her lifetime in our county.

6 Heinz Theuerjahr

“Waldhäuser…This town means for me the long hikes through the ancient, Born in the northern German region of Pomerania, Heinz Theuerjahr (1913- quiet forest, accompanied by thoughts of the morning’s work ahead. It also 1991) was a sculptor, painter and graphic artist who was a member of the means the encounters with people who say what they think, and who think Donau-Wald group of visual artists. They lived and worked in the Bavarian for themselves. ..It means peace of mind, hard work and a sheltering sense Forest region. Theuerjahr’s place of residence from 1938 until his death of belonging.” was Waldhäuser. Located in FRG, this idyllic village is home to a sculpture park. Theuerjahr’s works are on display there and in Waldhäuser’s Arche Heinz Theuerjahr gallery.

7 Talking a walk at treetop height

9/9/09 – Many people saw this as an auspicious date and chose it as their wedding day. For Freyung-Grafenau September 9th, 2009 was a day of celebration too with the opening of the county’s treetop walkway. The longest in the world, it took only six months to be planned and approved, and only three and a half months to be constructed. The walkway features a mighty dome which resembles that of the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany’s parliamentary building. Instead of parliament our dome house three ancient and mighty fir and beech trees, up to 38 meters in height. The three giants can be viewed from trunk level to treetop, opening fascinating insights into nature.

Length: 1300 meters Height of its panoramic dome: 44 meters Time of construction: 3 ½ months 8 Made in Freyung-Grafenau

FRG’s tradition of being a great place in which to do business is precisely The following stories are about the innovative products made in Freyung- one millennium old. It was in 1010 that the Goldener Steig was mentioned Grafenau that can be found throughout the world, about a company whose for the first time in the official chronicles. Traversing the mountainous workforce rocketed from 2 to 70 in just a few years or about how the Bavarian Forest, this route became one of the Middle Ages’ main East- region’s businesses ensure that their trainees get the broader picture. West trading routes. Its main commodity: salt. As diverse and varied as these stories are, the road to success has one These days, in place of salt, our region’s trading commodities have become overriding common factor: the tenacity, inventiveness, creativity, application advanced manufactured products based on homegrown research, ideas and courage of those behind them – the people of Freyung-Grafenau. and innovation.

9 Photo:Jupiter/Getty

Start-ups made in FRG: Thomas-Krenn.AG Vocational education made in FRG: trainee rotation How it all began: One vision, shared by two friends, and a garage How it all began: As a joint initiative of local entrepreneurs and businesses. The idea: Selling individually configured servers online The approach: Enhancing the networking of these companies. The motto: Speed is (y)our success. The idea: Trainees in on-the-job education at companies in the region The recipe for success: As indicated by the motto, speed! Orders for switch places for two weeks. such servers are processed and fulfilled within 24 hours– no matter where Payoff #1: The young trainees get to know work processes and procedures in Europe the customer is located. of other businesses and in turn provide fresh ideas and impetus. The outcome: The two-person garage start-up has grown into a Payoff #2: Know-how and knowledge is shared and disseminated 70-person enterprise in the space of just six years and Thomas Krenn has throughout the region to the advantage of all involved. become synonymous with premium-quality servers and first-class service throughout Europe.

10 Products made in FRG I: Products made in FRG II: Robot-supported steam cleaning systems De-icing system for solar panels The company: SLE electronic GmbH, Grafenau The company: TET electronics, Schönberg The product: The system solves one of the metal industry’s key The product: The TETsolar system de-ices solar panels in solar power environmental problems posed by the need – for process safety reasons stations and photovoltaic systems thus enabling power generation even – to degrease aluminium alloys prior to welding. Up to now, this was done after heavy snowfall and frosty conditions. Moreover, the system’s sensors by corrosion and passivation using acids and chemicals. SEL electronic‘s can also monitor operations and performance of solar generators and steam robot system does the job without the use of any chemicals. Full individual modules. steam ahead into the future! What gave the idea? The sight through the window of a snow-covered What gave the idea? By conducting experiments designed to see photovoltaic panel in winter 2007. if the process of acid cleaning and passivating could be replaced by The markets: Worldwide. Everywhere where solar units are in use or environmentally-friendly steam cleaning. to be built. The markets: Automotive and consumer lifestyle. The rating: Unique! There is no comparable product around. The rating: Especially high, because of this patented product’s great environmental friendliness and worldwide uniqueness. 11 Products made in FRG III: Electronic anti-theft surveillance module for photovoltaic units

The company: Dumps electronic, Röhrnbach What gave the idea? The ever-growing incidence of theft of PV modules The product: Thieves will steal anything – even individual modules of and the lack of an efficient and affordable anti-theft device. photovoltaic units. Dumps electronic’s surveillance module prevents this. The markets: The world’s solar parks. What’s more: the module can be installed at existing units without the The rating: Highly valuable patented product protecting PV modules need for additional wiring links to the PV modules. from thieves!

12 Products made in FRG IV: Beverage closures for the entire world

The company: Seaquist Closures Löffler GmbH, Freyung Seaquist Closures Löffler is constantly on the lookout for innovation and The product: A user-friendly sports closure for drinking bottles used in new market segments. This prompted the idea of a closure specially outdoor activities by old and young alike, from serious athletes to all who designed for the sports, wellness and outdoor sector. just like to be outdoors. The closure reliably prevents leaks, spills and The markets: The entire world! contamination and thus guarantees end-to-end product freshness, purity The rating: World-leading and revolutionary! In universal use. The and safety. patented closure’s practicality makes it unique and a favorite with athletes What gave the idea? As a world leader in the development and production around the world. of closures for the food, beverage and household products industries,

13 Photo: Bavaria’s Surveying Administration

Research made in FRG

Ideas and innovation require space and a conducive setting. Both can be had for R&D project funding. And, of course, they can recruit highly qualified in abundance in Freyung-Grafenau. This is why the Deggendorf University specialists amongst the university’s undergraduates, postgraduates and of Applied Sciences established its technology campus in Freyung in 2009. interns. In short, the campus goes way beyond mere scientific learning and The campus comprises an incubator and technology center for start-up teaching, but fuses science, research, development and business. companies and technology-oriented enterprises as well as the university’s Freyung branch all under one roof. The incubator / technology center located The campus is sited in the center of Freyung city. The town itself forms on the ground floor provides an ideal setting with low-rent office space and the center of the German-Czech-Austrian three-country triangle and is laboratory units, office services and highspeed internet access. The upper equidistant from the cities of Ceské Budejovice (Czech Republic), Linz floor houses the university’s research units for applied computer sciences (Austria) and Passau (Germany). This makes it an ideal location and and electronics with focus on medical IT, geoinformatics and navigation, technology base in the heart of the new Europe. embedded systems and a special research unit for bionics. Companies on the campus have direct access to and can share the university’s laboratories, equipment and R&D services as well as support in applying 14 Photo:Jupiter/Getty

The university in Freyung The Freyung incubator / technology campus • Quality offices, premises and facilities for start-ups and more • 15 professors, lecturers and scientific staff established companies • Advantageous rents in the center of Freyung • A large number of undergraduates, post-graduate students and interns • Consulting and advisory services for start-ups • Laboratories and technical equipment for applied informatics, embed- • Broadband internet access ded systems, geoinformatics, remote sensing, navigation and bionics • Experience and know-how in collaborative R&D projects with small • Direct access to the university and its facilities and medium-sized enterprises • Joint use of multimedia, conference and lecture rooms • Networking with partners in industry and research throughout Europe

15 Hermann J. Löffler Christoph Huber CEO of Seaquist Closures Löffler, CEO of Modehaus Garhammer, Freyung

“Our strength is “casual with style”, which means getting on with the “The credo of our fashion store is “Fashion and People”. People play the business instead of wasting time on unnecessary talk. Freyung is a very key role in our business, be it our customers and or our employees. The attractive business location for us because of the good transport links, es- great majority of the latter are locals whose key strengths are a blend of pecially the proximity to Munich’s Franz-Josef-Strauß international airport, close ties to their native region, a down-to-earth approach and great appli- the overall infrastructure, the central location in Europe with the fall of the cation married with a high motivation, focus and a cosmopolitan spirit.” Iron Curtain and the ability to access regional development funding. Most of our employees are from the region but our “immigrant” colleagues also love to work and live here.“

16 Christoph Maier Josef Liebl Member of the Board of Directors of CEO, SLE electronic GmbH, Thomas-Krenn.AG, Freyung Grafenau

“The creation of a top product requires an optimum of collaboration by “I regard my “Waidler”* as the most important contributor to our company’s all involved. Our employees, who incidentally are all from the region, are success. These motivated, highly qualified employees ensure the company’s the key to the success of our company. Another important factor is the innovative strength, manufacturing reliability and superior product quality. support by the county administration, especially when we built our new Excellently trained and qualified people with great motivation and close headquarters in 2006. Thus Thomas-Krenn.AG has been able to stay identification with “their” company are a hallmark of our region.” successful against fierce international competition.”

* „Waidler“ is a term for native Bavarian Forest people in the local vernacular. 17 Further information and contacts

Freyung-Grafenau county offers you a wide choice of attractive, fully-developed business parks. Comprehensive details on most of our region’s business and industrial parks can be obtained at www.sisby.de. SISBY is the central information and location portal for commercial sites and premises in Bavaria. The free SISBY service provides a range of data on each location, including:

• available commercial sites and premises • contact details of local and regional business development authorities • key structural data such as local commercial tax rates, population, infrastructure and business services If you decide to locate your business or business unit in Freyung-Grafenau you are opting for a location with a workforce whose dedication, motivation and reliability is unrivalled and a key ingredient for the long-term success of the region’s companies. Moreover, you and your staff will also be able to enjoy and benefit from one of the most beautiful and unspoilt natural landscapes in Europe that offers scope and opportunities for recreation and relaxation that make life worth living in our hectic times.

Freyung-Grafenau is always the right choice for you with public administrators who are eager to pave the way for you and cut red tape.

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Council Office County of Freyung Business and Regional Development Agency Contact: Ralph Heinrich Wolfkerstr. 3 D-94078 Freyung Tel.: +49 (0)8551 57-120 Fax: +49 (0)8551 57-193 [email protected] www.freyung-grafenau.de

Freyung Technology Campus of the Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences Contact: Karl Kreuß Grafenauer Str. 22 D-94078 Freyung Tel.: +49 (0)8551 9160-46 Fax: +49 (0)8551 9160-47 [email protected] www.technologiecampus-freyung.de

Credits / sources of information used: Passauer Neue Presse (PNP): Anna Sigl (p. 6), Thomas-Krenn.AG (p. 10), Products Made in FRG (p. 11 - p. 13)

19 Publisher: Council Office County of Freyung-Grafenau Wolfkerstr. 3 D-94078 Freyung